This week I had the luck of re-connecting
with an old friend, one that I have known for years the renowned Dr Paul Ssemugoma.
In 2005 when we first met, we were young, up and coming activists. With our
arrival at the advocacy and activists’ scene – so we thought, all the problems
could now be solved because we had the answers. Being young, we were full of
hope but also naive. My Bishop from Ghana was there too – life has been one
great journey with these friends!
Over time things have changed a lot – new
activists have come on board, new organization – some that are now continent
wide or – pan African have come into being and on the whole issues have somehow
changed – or at least the approach to addressing these issues.
Paul and I reminisced about our involvement
in this kind of work over years. Being a doctor, Paul was more focused then as
now on health issues. HIV and AIDS was not a big issue then as it is now. During
our reminiscence Paul betrayed a sense of fatigue or frustration - “we know
what needs to be done” he said, “we have the evidence, we have the tools, but
sadly we lack the political capital to expend.”
Paul emphasized the need to expand the
political space and on the need to broaden the agenda. Discrimination and
exclusion are experienced by so many other groups in the society, he observed.
“We need to form alliances with these groups” he said with a sharp focus on the
horizon, “things cannot be allowed to go on like this forever.”
Of course broadening the agenda is easier
said than done. To broaden the agenda, we have to form alliances with such groups
as women rights groups, political parties, academic institutions, cultural
institutions and even religious organizations.
But forming requires willingness and support from other parties – it takes
two to tangle as they say.
For these alliances to be formed a number
of things need to take place/happen
- We need new actors in the scene adept at creating bridges especially with non-traditional partners and interest groups. This is already beginning to happen – yes there are African universities that are beginning to realize that diversity – including sexuality, enriches the educational experience. We know of Dr. Stella Nyazi and Dr. Silvia Tamale both of Uganda – sadly no Kenyan name comes to mind.
- New forms of partnerships: Traditionally, the human rights and the progressive movements have been natural allies, as well as some women organizations. But this is also beginning to happen. As new people come into the scene, they also bring with them new advocacy strategies. One such approach is a film by a team of very courageous and gifted youth – watch this interview to see what I mean!
- Religious leaders: This week a group of progressive religious leaders released what they called The KwaZulu Natal Declaration. Many people both in public health and in human rights have not considered religious leaders as natural partners in their work. Forming alliances with them should being to happen as a matter of priority.
- Economic empowerment: it is not possible to emancipate any excluded group, unless we are able to also improve their economic situation. Fortunately, business is less sensitive to sexuality – the currency [all pun intended] is the currency! On this blog we wrote about the CHAMA’s – which entails forming alliances with micro-finance institutions. The Rafiki Micro-finance bank, a subsidiary of Chase Bank, is a leader in this alliance. In our last CHAMA meeting they sent the head of business development – On a Saturday evening no less, to answer all our questions. I think this is a partnership worth exploring further – banks especially MFIs, are knowledge leaders on risk, - both upside and downside risks (Google that and see what I mean).
- Lastly the movement is greying – I have noticed on a number of people now. This will bring on board interesting dynamics, as the content of advocacy begins to shift. I am not quite sure what this means but don't you thing it will signify some shifting of paradigms?
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